Science Chair Honored by Yale

Both dedicated and beloved, it came as no surprise when Yale recognized Upper School Physics and Debate teacher Bob Shurtz with the 2005 Yale Teaching Award. He was nominated by Hawken alum Michael Waxman (`05) who had Mr. Shurtz for three classes and acted as co-captain of the policy debate team. During winter break last year, Mr. Shurtz underwent open-heart surgeryGÇöa procedure he put off for over nine months to minimize his time away from the classroom. Perhaps inspired by his dedication, his students offered a level of excellence that teachers often only dream about. It was during this time that Mr. Shurtz achieved some of his most impressive teaching accomplishments. In May 2005, 100% of his Physics C and Calculus BC students scored 5s on their AP exams (as did 82% of his Physics B students). Two of his Lincoln-Douglas debaters placed in the top 20 at the NFL National Championships in PhiladelphiaGÇöincluding a 4th-place finishGÇömaking Hawken the only school in the country to do so. One of his physics students earned a coveted spot on the U.S. Physics Team, which Mr. Shurtz also coaches. That student went to Madrid to win an overall gold medal, one of the best performances by an American student. In his nomination, Waxman, now a Yale freshman, said, \"I owe a personal debt of gratitude to Mr. Shurtz. In my last semester of high school, the excitement of senior year distracted me from my studies. Determined to see me succeed, Mr. Shurtz met with me and a group of several other similarly slacking students after school for two weeks leading up to the AP examGÇöfor five or six hours a day. Our efforts paid off: we all earned 5`s on the exams. He had faith in us, he held us to a higher standard. Like many great teachers, he put his students before himself.\"